Medicinal Wine

Scarlet Cloud Mountain got its name from the swath of crimson haze that hung over its depths year-round.

On clear days, from afar, the mountain range looked as though it had been scorched by fire, its clouds and mist dyed crimson, its rosy glow never fading. By dusk, that red haze grew even more brilliant, as if a gigantic furnace lay hidden deep within the mountains, staining even the horizon blood-red.

Some said it was a sacred mountain blessed with spirit, with spiritual veins hidden within, which was why its vegetation flourished and medicinal herbs grew so easily.

Others said that crimson haze was no auspicious sign, but the work of demons and monsters, their evil aura billowing up and refusing to disperse all year long.

After leaving the city with the convoy at dawn, Lu Chen headed north all the way and reached the Scarlet Cloud Mountain herb garden near dusk.

Two crude watchtowers stood at the entrance, with an archer guard posted atop each one.

Following the convoy inside, Lu Chen discovered that the herb garden was even larger than he had imagined.

It was divided into plots of medicinal fields. Some had bamboo trellises erected over them, crimson vines winding around the frames; others were covered with black cloth, as though they could not bear too much sunlight. Beside several plots, ditches had been dug specifically to channel mountain spring water slowly through them.

Several herb farmers were bent over tending the plants. When they saw the convoy arrive, they put down their work and came over to greet them.

Lu Chen helped unload the supplies from the carts.

Sacks of salt, bolts of coarse cloth, and grain were all carried into the herb garden's storehouse.

Wang Zhong stood at the herb garden entrance. He was not particularly tall or broad, and was even thinner than Zhao Yiting. He wore a short grayish-brown outfit, beast-hide leggings wrapped around his calves, a short blade at his waist, and a mountain bow slung across his back.

His skin was dark, and his face showed little expression, but his eyes were bright.

Like an old hunter of the mountain forests, he was exceedingly vigilant.

"Brothers, you've had a hard journey!"

Wang Zhong spoke in a booming voice.

Zhou Li, an old escort guard in the convoy, smiled and cupped his hands. "Chief Wang, the road was peaceful today. We didn't run into any trouble."

After traveling until evening, everyone was splattered with mud, their shoe soles caked with wet earth. Fortunately, the journey had been calm, and they had encountered no danger. Now that they had entered the herb garden and caught the rich medicinal fragrance drifting through the valley, the tension they had carried all day finally eased somewhat.

Wang Zhong's gaze swept over the convoy before settling on Lu Chen.

"A newcomer?"

Lu Chen stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Greetings, Chief Wang. I'm Lu Chen, a newly arrived escort guard and a disciple of Hidden Dragon Martial Hall."

Wang Zhong gave him a once-over, then greeted him warmly. "Once you've come to Wang Firm, you're one of our own brothers. You've had a hard journey!"

At that moment, Liu Heng squeezed out from the convoy and shouted, "Chief Wang, we brought you food and supplies. The brothers have been tired out all the way here. It's not too much to ask for a bottle of medicinal wine, is it?"

"Good! There's plenty of medicinal wine. One bottle per person—tonight, we drink until we drop!" Wang Zhong declared boldly.

The escort guards were overjoyed and thanked him in unison. "Thank you, Chief Wang!"

Night deepened.

Several bonfires were lit in the center of the herb garden.

Scarlet Cloud Mountain was damp and cold at night. Mountain winds blew in from its depths, carrying the raw scent of vegetation and the smell of wild beasts. Once the fires were lit and everyone sat around them, the chill in their bodies faded somewhat.

Wang Zhong did not make them wait long.

Bottles of medicinal wine from the herb garden were quickly brought out. The wine was faintly yellow, carrying a subtle medicinal fragrance. It was fiery on the tongue, but after going down the throat, warmth spread through the chest and abdomen, warming the body better than ordinary strong liquor.

Besides that, there was also a huge pot of meat soup.

Wild beast meat simmered in the pot alongside polygonatum, Chinese yam, and several medicinal herbs. The broth was thick and milky white, its aroma assaulting their noses.

After trekking mountain roads all day, the escort guards were starving, their chests practically pressed to their backs. Now, after wolfing down a bowl of wild beast meat and taking a sip of medicinal wine, satisfaction appeared on every face.

"There's nothing like the herb garden!"

Holding a bowl of wine, Zhou Li laughed loudly. "When we're on guard in the city, we don't even dare drink too much, always afraid Chief Zhao will dock our monthly pay. But here with Chief Wang, we can finally drink in great gulps and eat meat in huge chunks!"

Everyone else laughed as well.

Wang Zhong also raised his wine bowl. "Come, a toast to everyone!"

"May things keep getting better and better for all of us at Wang Firm, and may our martial arts grow ever stronger!"

"Cheers!"

Everyone raised their bowls together.

"Cheers!"

Lu Chen raised his wine bowl as well and tipped back a large gulp.

The medicinal wine burned as it went down, its spiciness laced with a faint herbal fragrance.

Brewed from mountain spring water and medicinal herbs, it turned into a current of warmth as soon as it reached his stomach, spreading through his chest and abdomen.

Lu Chen's eyes flickered.

Not bad stuff.

Though this medicinal wine could not compare to Blood-Qi Powder, it still invigorated the blood, strengthened the qi, warded off cold, and relieved fatigue. Drinking a small cup after martial arts practice would also benefit the circulation of one's qi and blood.

After three rounds of wine, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Zhou Li suddenly slapped his thigh. "What's the fun in just drinking? It's rare for all the brothers to be together. Why not throw a few sets of punches to liven things up?"

Someone immediately cheered.

"Sure!"

"Who wants to show off some skill and entertain everyone?"

At that moment, Liu Heng put down his wine bowl and stood up.

There was a flush of drink on his face, but his eyes were not muddled in the slightest. Staring at Lu Chen in the firelight, he shouted:

"Lu Chen, do you dare fight me?"

Everyone turned to look. Someone could not help saying, "Liu Heng, are you picking on the newcomer again?"

"Didn't you fail to get the better of him last time?"

"Go fuck yourself! I was going easy on him!" Liu Heng snapped stubbornly. Then he fixed his gaze on Lu Chen. "Lu Chen, quit dragging it out. Do you dare fight me or not?"

Lu Chen did not answer immediately.

Seeing Lu Chen remain silent, Liu Heng pulled a pouch of money from his robes and tossed it beside the bonfire.

The silver hit the ground with a crisp clink.

"Five taels of silver."

He looked at Lu Chen and sneered. "Lu Chen, you and I will have a match. Win or lose, these five taels are yours."

Five taels of silver.

For an ordinary escort guard, that was nearly two months of wages—not a small sum.

But everyone could see that Liu Heng had been nursing a grudge and wanted to spend money to give Lu Chen a beating.

To vent his anger for his own brother, Liu Xiaolou.

And to win back the face he had lost last time.

Lu Chen looked at Liu Heng, then swept his gaze over the money pouch on the ground.

He was not afraid of Liu Heng. He had simply always followed the principle that fewer troubles meant fewer problems, doing his best not to stir up needless conflict.

But now that the other man was practically delivering silver to his door, it would be downright impolite not to take it.

Besides, with so many people watching and Liu Heng having pushed things this far, there was no way a hot-blooded young martial artist like him could back down.

He rose to his feet. "Since you want to spar with me so badly, I'll grant your wish!"

Joy appeared on Liu Heng's face, while a flash of viciousness passed through his eyes. He laughed loudly. "Good! You've got guts!"

Wang Zhong sat beside the bonfire, his gaze moving between the two men.

Though he did not know the exact grievance between them, he could tell from Liu Heng's eyes and Lu Chen's reaction that they were not on good terms.

Wang Zhong's voice deepened, carrying a hint of sternness as he warned them, "A spar is fine."

"But let me make this clear first. This is only an exchange of fists and kicks. Stop when you've made your point. Don't injure your own brothers."

He looked at Liu Heng, warning in his eyes. "If anyone dares to strike with lethal intent in public, don't blame me for showing no mercy."

Liu Heng's expression stiffened slightly.

Wang Zhong was the herb garden's chief, a martial artist at the Minor Blood-Shifting realm. If he truly became angry, Liu Heng would not dare defy him head-on.

So he quickly forced a smile and cupped his hands. "Rest assured, Chief Wang. I know my limits."

His words were respectful, but a sinister glint flashed through his eyes.

They called it stopping at the right point, but once a fight began, fists and feet had no eyes.

As long as he "slipped up" for a moment and crippled one of Lu Chen's arms, Wang Zhong would have no grounds to fault him.

Five taels of silver for one of Lu Chen's arms—worth it.

The corner of Liu Heng's mouth curled slightly. He looked at Lu Chen and slowly bent his fingers, his knuckles giving off faint cracking sounds.

"Lu Chen, you brought this on yourself!"